Spermatogenesis

Reported by EDUARDO CABALANG JR.

Objectives
To learn the process of spermatogenesis To learn the hormones involved during spermatogenesis

To learn the importance of spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis
According to Hess et al., 2008 Spermatogenesis is the transformation of spermatogonial cells into spermatozoa over an

extended period of time within the seminiferous

tubule boundaries of the testis.

begins at puberty and continues until relatively late in life(at age 70)

 The primitive sex cells appear earliest in 4th week of intra uterine life in the wall of yolk sac as primordial germ cells
They migrate to the developing testes and lie dormant among the cells lining the seminiferous tubules At puberty the germ cells awaken and start the actual process of spermatogenesis

stages of Spermatogenesis

Mitosis
In this process spermatocytes are produced from spermatogonium

Meiosis
In this process spermatocytes go through meiosis I and meiosis II and produce 4 spermatids

Spermiogenesis

In this process spermatids differentiate into spermatozoa

TESTIS H&E SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

TESTIS H&E SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

INTERSTITIAL CONN. TISSUE

Spermatogenesis
SPERMATOGONIA 1 SPERMATOCYTE 2 SPERMATOCYTE SPERMATIDS

SPERMATIDS 2 SPERMATOCYTE

1 SPERMATOCYTE

SERTOLI CELLS

SPERMATOGONIA

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

This whole process of spermatogenesis takes approximately 74 days and about 300600 sperm/gram of testis are produced each second.

Cells involved in Spermatogenesis

Sertoli cells/Sustentacular cells

Sertoli cells are supporting cells that stretch from the lumen to the edge of the tubule nourish the developing sperm

form a blood-testis barrier to control spermatogenesis (similar to the blood-brain barrier)

These cells also inhibit spermatogenesis before puberty and stimulate the process after puberty.

 It is activated by folliclestimulating hormone and has FSH-receptor on its membranes.

Sertoli-Sertoli junctions divide seminiferous tubules into basal and adluminal compartments the Sertoli cell has also been called the "mother" or "nurse" cell. Sertoli cells also act as phagocytes, consuming the residual cytoplasm during spermatogenesis.

Leydig cells/ Insterstitial cells

Leydig cells, also known as interstitial cells of Leydig found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle They produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH). Leydig cells release a class of hormones called androgens

Hormonal Regulation of Testicular Function

Key Hormones
Luteinizing Hormone
stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone in the testes

FollicleStimulating Hormone
stimulates Sertoli cells to produce androgen-binding protein (ABP), thereby stimulating spermatogenesis

SH also stimulates Sertoli cells to produce inhibin, which provides negative feedback to the anterior pituitary to decrease FSH secretion

GnRH

gonadotropin-releasing hormone Secreted by hypothalamus Stimulates secretion of anterior pituitary secretion hormones (FSH/LH Secreted by cells of Leydig (Interstitial cells of seminiferous tubules) Exert negative feedback on hypothalamic and ant. pituitary hormones Stimulates spermatogenesis by binding to ABP and development of secondary sex characteristics

Testosterone

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

is a hormone found in humans and other animals. It is synthesized and secreted by gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland. FSH regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body. FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) act synergistically in reproduction.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

also known as lutropin and sometimes lutrophin is a hormone produced by gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. In females, an acute rise of LH ("LH surge") triggers ovulation and development of the corpus luteum. In males, where LH had also been called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH), it stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone. It acts synergistically with FSH.

Non-hormonal Factors
Temperature

The optimal temperature for spermatogenesis is 34-35 C. Diet

Diet must contain vitamin A, B12, folic acid and vitamin C and E which is essential for spermatogenesis.

Importance
Genetic variability
Production of haploid sperm Ensures continuity of sperm production

Seminiferous tubules of the testes A transverse section of seminiferous tubules of the testes

Cross-section of a seminiferous tubule in the testis showing spermatogenesis and the clusters of Leydig cells responsible for producting the male sex hormone testosterone. LM X100.

Cross section of a human testis tubule filled with sperm. SEM X363

The second meiotic division of the secondary spermatocytes in the testis results in the formation of spermatids with a haploid number of chromosomes. SEM X975 3.5" X 4.5

Human seminiferous tubule section of stage II of spermatogenesis. LM X140

Human seminiferous tubule section of stage V of spermatogenesis. LM X14

A section of a mammal (rat) seminiferous tubule. Note that the most undifferentiated cells, the spermatogonia, are located at the periphery of the tubule, in close association with the basal lamina of the tubule. Many of the germinal cells are in later stages of spermatogenesis. SEM X370 3.5" X 4.5

Section of the primate testis seminiferous tubules. LM X30.

Cross-section of a seminiferous tubule in the testis showing spermatogenesis and the myoid and Sertoli cells. LM X250.

Interstitial cell or Leydig cell of the testis between seminiferous tubules that produce testosterone. LM X430.